Hey!! Let's get some action going! What are we reading?

[astrangerhere]

I've been offline for a few days, but since I last posted, I have completed:

• Proof of Guilt by Charles Todd
• The Turn of the Screw by Henry James for the A Public Space bookclub
• The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo which I absolutely loved
• Sunshine Sketches by Stephen Leacock which I did not like at all, but it has made me want to re-read Winesburg, Ohio. This was for the New Leaf Book Club
• A Conspiracy of Ravens by Leah Moore

I am currently reading:

• Gently Sinking by Alan Hunter
• Middlemarch by George Eliot - one of my favorite novels of all time. Right up there with War and Peace.

[Luffy]

My 5 star review of The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #3), by Rick Riordan.

Spoiler:

Five full stars. It's been a cumulative journey from the Lightning Thief. We finally got the full court of gods to observe. Riordan handled himself superbly, creating great set pieces to charm our hearts.

I loved everything about the book. Camp Half-Blood was a nest of intrigue, plotting, and backstabbing from the beginning. For once Riordan transcended his plagiarist issues and became a gifted author in my esteem.

This is the type of blueprint to follow when writing your own book. There was no real special knowledge about the book unless you don't know about the geography and landmarks of the US. A toast! To Percy and Rick, the inheritors of a golden epoch. What a great adventure!

[astrangerhere]

Originally Posted by astrangerhere

I am currently reading:

• Gently Sinking by Alan Hunter
• Middlemarch by George Eliot - one of my favorite novels of all time. Right up there with War and Peace.

I finished the Hunter novel and started the first book in Kate Elliott's brand new series Unconquerable Sun. It is also captioned as gender-swapped Alexander the Great in space! My wife loves history and she actually pinged on it before I did.

I've never read Elliott before, but this one was tagged both space opera and LGBTQ, so I had to give it a shot. Not disappointed so far.

[Fbone]

Finished Oathbreaker (Legend of the Gods #1) by Aaron Hodges. This appears to be written for a younger audience. It didn't have the depth and seriousness that would allow me to rate the book higher. Still, it was a fun quick read that I somehow picked up without cost. The book does end on a cliffhanger which I don't like. Also, there were several noticeable typos but otherwise competently written. Rated D+ [2 stars].

Next, a library book, Hella by David Gerrold. It's been a long time since I read a book with dinosaurs ().

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by astrangerhere

I finished the Hunter novel and started the first book in Kate Elliott's brand new series Unconquerable Sun. It is also captioned as gender-swapped Alexander the Great in space! My wife loves history and she actually pinged on it before I did.

I've never read Elliott before, but this one was tagged both space opera and LGBTQ, so I had to give it a shot. Not disappointed so far.

Sounds interesting, but the list price is way outside my budget, and the hold time at the library is 10 weeks. Well, I went ahead and put it on hold. At least, with that library, they let me have 25 on hold.

[mlewis78]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

And it turns out to be a bit depressing. The main character is virtuous, although it's not explained why he appears to be the only character not corrupt in some way. I'll try the next one when the series next gets picked randomly as my next read, in case it improves. 3/5

[Michael Dibden Ratking] I read that one a while back, maybe 8 years ago and the ending creeped me out. It was a paperback that I bought in London at a book store. I had a thing then for British editions. It was my only time in London even though I have two cousins there. One of the British TV channels had a mystery series based on these books and I was afraid they would do that one. I never did see that one on TV, so maybe they didn't do it.

[astrangerhere]

Originally Posted by CRussel

Sounds interesting, but the list price is way outside my budget, and the hold time at the library is 10 weeks. Well, I went ahead and put it on hold. At least, with that library, they let me have 25 on hold.

It is a delight so far. Also has one of my favorite things in science fiction (other than female protagonists) - aliens who do not look human! Also, somehow, I was the first person to put it on hold at my library, which SHOCKED me.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Next up: Trigger Warning by Neil Gaiman. A collection of his shorter works.

A very good collection of horror-leaning short stories. Although how Black Shuck manages to travel to somewhere that has dry stone walls, I'm not sure.

4/5 only because I'm not a big horror fan.

Next up: The Better Part of Valour by Tanya Huff. Second in her confederation series. Apparently I read the first back in January 2016 and gave it 3/5. If this one isn't better, I might abandon the series.

[ReadingManiac]

Finally finished Nightscape by Stephen R, George which was captivatingly weird and getting into The Woods by Harlan Coben.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Next up: The Better Part of Valour by Tanya Huff. Second in her confederation series. Apparently I read the first back in January 2016 and gave it 3/5. If this one isn't better, I might abandon the series.

And it's decent enough MilSF. I still don't like the graceful, sexy aliens, but it's OK, a solid 3/5. Not bad enough to discard - it's perfectly readable and enjoyable. But I feel no need to rush on with the rest of the series.

Next up: Another random choice, Vendetta by Michael Dibden. The second in his Aurelio Zen series. I've only just finished the first one, but that's randomness for you. Let's see if I like this one better,

[NiMa]

Reading Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman on a Kobo Libra. I'm beginning in English reading (my tongue is French). I find it very interesting and somewhat mysterious, and that's what I like about Gaiman.
Otherwise, I'd be reading now some Lovecraft fiction. He's my favourite author. Thanks to the portability of the Kobo devices, I dropped the complete fiction in my Libra. What a joy!

[Luffy]

My 2 star review of The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #4) by Rick Riordan:-

Spoiler:

Well, that was not fun to read. It was a spectacular demotion where the author, probably cheered on by his agent, his near and dear and his well wishers, contrived not to get inspired for even one measly Chapter.

We must move on. I... must move on, but I can't, until the 5th book is read. Despite giving the previous book 5 stars, I didn't go in this book with any expectation or preconceived notion.

How ironical would it be if the God of wisdom has forsaken Riordan. It's sometimes disheartening to see so many words woven into so much tripe. I know exactly why this book is a success critically and commercially. But let's not reveal it here.

[covingtoncat73]

I finished Utopia Avenue by David Mitchell and I loved it. I adored Jasper, he was my favorite animal. The characters were such fun to hang out with.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Next up: Another random choice, Vendetta by Michael Dibden. The second in his Aurelio Zen series. I've only just finished the first one, but that's randomness for you. Let's see if I like this one better,

I did like it better. Although there's still no explanation for Zen's character.

Next up: The Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson.

[Luffy]

My one star review of Peace Talks (The Dresden Files, #16), by Jim Butcher:-

Spoiler:

Unsalvageable. I'm tempted to tell Jim Butcher to go screw himself, because he sure screwed his faithful. What's more, most of his fans are rating this book, praising it to the heavens.

There was an overemphasis on Mouse, the dog, and mention of a threesome, twice. If that kind of events happened in the author's life, then spice it up a little before serving it.

I know Butcher is a terrific writer, and I can see myself giving 5 stars to Battle Ground, but my personal opinion on this garbage book is that hype is a real thing that can reel in the gullible, the famished, the naive, and the fanatic.